Neighbours of Rosemary Shearman’s ‘reclusive’ killer were suspicious of his ‘strange’ behaviour

“Reclusive” killer Thomas Blazquez lived among his neighbours for two decades, avoiding them at all costs, but aroused their suspicions with his “strange” behaviour and a police raid in which his collection of swords was confiscated.

Not one of them believed he was capable murdering the 77-year-old Rosemary Shearman from Platford Green, Hornchurch, but many of them had concerns about his mental health.

One neighbour who lived very close to him in Onslow Gardens, South Woodford, said: “He was here a long time, about 20 years. In all that time I must have seen him three times.

“I tried to say hello in the garden but it became apparent he didn’t want to talk. He was a bit of a loner and didn’t have any friends.

“He would scurry away from me and he used to stay behind his door not to face me.

“He lived like a bit of a hermit and he lived in a bit of a state.

“He wasn’t a threatening person but I think he had a mental illness.”

She said: “Some years ago the police went in there and he got sectioned. They took weapons out of his house – swords.

“And when the police were here when they arrested him for the murder they brought weapons out too.”

Another neighbour, Ian Warren, 45, agreed that Blazquez did not fit in with his neighbours. But he did not think he would be capable of his heinous crime. He was definitely strange but I wouldn’t have put him down as that [a murderer]. I just thought he was a bit simple,” Mr Warren said. “If you saw him walking down the street with his bag then you would definitely think he was a bit strange but no one knew much about him as he was a bit of a reclusive chap.”

If you’re obsessed with Apple or just love a good gadget, this is a prize that will blow you away! An incredible £3,333 to spend on Apple goodies! How would you like to be the proud new owner of the Apple Watch?